Joseph Metcalf Hissem

Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

Navy Cross & Purple Heart

Joseph Teeter Hissem and Lorna Agnes Cromer were married about 1916. They were the parents of at least two children; Joseph Metcalf and Elizabeth D Hissem.

Joseph M. Hissem enlisted in the Volunteer Naval Reserve Aviation Cadet (V-5) program as a Seaman 2/c on 9 Jan 1941 in Chicago, IL. He reported to Naval Reserve Air Base (NRAB) Glenview, IL in late Feb to begin his Elimination Flight training. After he completed that phase of training, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS), Pensacola on 19 March 1941. He was discharged the same day in order to accept appointment as an aviation cadet. He completed his aviation training and was commissioned an Ensign, USNR, A-V(N) on 30 August 1941.

He received basic training as a navigator and later qualified on board the PBY "Catalina" amphibious patrol aircraft. He was assigned on 1 Oct 1941 to Patrol Squadron Twenty Four (VP-24) that was in Oahu, HI. On 8 Dec 1941 Ensign A-V(N) Joseph M Hissem reported on board the USS Harris (AP-8) as a passenger enroute to duty with Patrol Squadron 24 in Pearl Harbor.

About 30 May 1942 in Pearl Harbor, Ensign Hissem and his squadron mate, Ens. Jack Winton Wilke, volunteered to provide pathfinder (Navigation) services for a 1200 mile open ocean transit for Torpedo Squadron Eight's (VT-8) detachment of six new TBF-1 torpedo bomber aircraft being flown to NAS Midway on 01 Jun 1942 to augment the island's defenses.

In the early morning hours of 4 June, he volunteered to provide navigational assistance and act as a Radioman/Bombardier/tunnel gunner on one the TBF-1s in the detachment of VT-8 as it flew into battle against the numerically superior Japanese forces. Without fighter CAP support they were overwhelmed by Japanese fighters. However, they pressed forward in the face of withering fire. His aircraft with Ens. Oswald Gaynier as pilot and Seaman First Class (S1c) Howard William Pitt as turret gunner was shot down. Their remains were unrecoverable. Ens. Hissem was awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

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Navy Cross Citation:

"The Navy Cross is presented to Joseph Metcalf Hissem, Ensign, U.S. Naval (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service beyond the call of duty as a Radioman/Bombardier of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8) embarked from Naval Air Station Midway during the "Air Battle of Midway", against enemy Japanese forces on 4 and 5 June 1942. In the first attack against an enemy carrier of the Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Hissem pressed home his attack in the face of withering fire from enemy Japanese fighters and anti-aircraft forces. Because of events attendant upon the Battle of Midway, there can be no doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 310 (January 1943)

The Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) reads:

For extremely heroic and courageous performance in combat during the “Air Battle of Midway,” June 4, 1942. Flying low without fighter support, Torpedo Squadron EIGHT began the perilous mission, Intercept and attack! First to sight the enemy, the squadron attacked with full striking power against crushing enemy opposition, scoring torpedo hits on Japanese forces. Realizing to a man that insufficient fuel would prevent a return to the carrier, the pilots held doggedly to the target, dropping torpedoes at point-blank range in the face of blasting antiaircraft fire that sent the planes one by one, hurtling aflame in the sea. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and determination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron EIGHTs vital contribution to the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air.

The family of Ens. Hissem received a Presidential Commemoration. It reads:

In grateful memory of Joseph Metcalf Hissem, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, MIDWAY, 5 JUNE 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed)

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President of the United States

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Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) note:

None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST M-1650.1 of 16 Aug 2019, Appendix 2C.1.c (3) Amplifying Guidance). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded in connection with aerial flight, . . . “ The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941. According to the Awards Manual, when deemed appropriate, the award for aerial combat was/is the Air Medal.

USS Hissem (DE-400), and later DER-400, was an Edsall class destroyer escort. Hissem was named in honor of Ens. Joseph Hissem. She was launched by Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, TX on 26 Dec 1943 and sponsored by Miss Elizabeth D. Hissem, sister of Ensign Hissem. She was commissioned on 12 Jan 1944. After her shakedown cruise to Bermuda Hissem began her first combat duty as an escort ship with a convoy bound for the Mediterranean. While in the Med Hissem helped repulse a German air attack by splashing one torpedo plane and damaging a second. Subsequently, Hissem performed regular escort duties across the Atlantic. When the European war ended Hissem sailed for the Pacific in Jun 1945. She saw no combat, but did participate in Japan occupation operations.

Hissem returned to the US east coast arriving at Green Cove Springs, FL on 23 Mar 1946. Several months later on 15 Jun 1946 she was decommissioned. She was reactivated in 1955 and converted to a radar picket ship (DER-400). She saw a variety of duties including joining the Atlantic Barrier, a part of the DEW line, visits to Mediterranean and Northern European ports, the Cuban Missile blockade, Oct 1962, command ship for the search for the USS Thresher (SSN-593), operation Deep-Freeze to Antarctica, and duty along the Vietnam coast during two tours there. Hissem was decommissioned on 15 May 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 01 Jun 1975. She was sunk as a target off California on 24 Feb 1982. Hissem received one battle star for WWII service.

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Compiler's note: 9 Oct 15 - I recently met a previous crew-member of the USS Hissem. He was wearing a faded blue USS Hissem ball cap and was at a McDonalds near Hilton Head! We had a short but interesting conversation about his time as a crew-member of USS Hissem.

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